Desperate for polls, Kejriwal returns to protest spot

Blaming the President’s rule for inflation, corruption and a host of other problems facing Delhi, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal has urged the residents of the Capital to assemble at Jantar Mantar on August 3 “to start work towards installing an elected government in Delhi.”

“If you are against government formation which involves buying MLAs for Rs 20 crore each, if you want immediate elections in Delhi and a democratically elected government in Delhi, do come to Jantar Mantar at 3 pm on August 3. The whole of Delhi will assemble on August 3 and seek elections in Delhi,” Kejriwal is heard saying in a latest radio message.

After AAP pulled the plug on its own government in February, the city has been without an elected government for five months and the Assembly is under suspended animation. Under President’s rule, Delhi’s lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung is the Capital’s administrative head.

“Delhi has been under President’s rule for the last five months. There’s no elected government. Inflation and corruption are at their peak. Delhiites are troubled. Power tariff is being hiked again and again. Power cuts are lasting for several hours. More than half of Delhi is not getting its water supply,” Kejriwal says in his radio message.

“Contractual workers are being fired. Children are not getting admissions in schools. There’s a massive dearth of teachers in schools. Corruption is reigning supreme everywhere,” he claimed.

The former Delhi CM then asks: “Who will rid the public of such problems?” before adding, “Delhi wants an elected, honest government. Delhi wants immediate elections.”

He also attacked the BJP for not letting elections happen. “Why is the BJP afraid of holding fresh elections in Delhi? Why is the BJP running away from elections?” he asks. Under President’s rule, the L-G reports to the Union home ministry.

After resigning as chief minister after 49 days in office, Kejriwal has been seeking fresh elections in Delhi, fearing that the BJP may take a shot at forming the government in the Capital by weaning away Congress and AAP MLAs.